Machine for finishing flooring



June 17, 1924.

1,497,673 E. C. DITTMAR MACHINE FOR FINISHING FLOORING Filed Sept. 14 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l v H I m] June 17 1924.

r 1,497,673 E. C. DITTMAR MACHINE FOR FINISHING FLOORING Filed Sept. 14 192] 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 17, 1924,

UNITED STATES ELMER C. DI'IT'MAR,

PENNSYLVANIA.

PATENT OFFICE.

OF WILLIAMSPOR'I, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE CROOKS- DITTMAR COMPANY, OF WIL IAMSIO RT, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 01! MACHINE FOR FINISHING FLOORING.

Application filed September 14, 1921.

To all av/1.0m it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER C. Drr'rrmn, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVilliamsport, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Finishing Flooring, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawmg.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in machines for finishing flooring and is an improvement on the construction of machine shown in my application Serial No. 31,4L6A, filed July 31, 1919, the object being to provide an improved construction of filler receptacle whereby the filler will. be forced against the moving strip by the agitator, which agitator also wipes the strip so as to force the filler into the pores of the wood thereof.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide a filler receptacle and novel means for preventing the filler from escaping around the discharge opening as the strip moves past the same.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide means for supporting and adjusting the position of the agitator in respect to the strip passing the discharge opening of the filler receptacle so that the yieldable blades of the agitator can be set in respect to the face of the strip so that the proper pressure will be applied to'the filler.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings, 7

Figure 1. is a top plan view of'a machine constructed in accordance with my invention; b

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the filler receptacle; 1

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the filler receptacle; and

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the filler receptacle.

In the drawing 1 indicates the frame of a machine which is constructed substantial- 1y as shown in my companion application and is provided with a suitable guide Way Serial No. 500,660.

2 for supporting and guiding the strip of lumber being operated on. The machine is provided with feed rollers 3 for feeding the strip and revolving brushes 1 for cleaning the strip. 6 are scraping members and 7 is a wiping orbufling member, the construction of these parts being identical as shown in my companion application and are only described partly in this case so that the operation of the filler box can be clearly understood when applied to this kind of machine.

Arranged on a support 8 mounted on the frame is a filler receptacle 9 secured in position by any suitable means and arranged in agap formed in the guide way 2. The filler receptacleis provided with a discharge opening over which is arranged to pass a strip of lumber 10 to receive a coating of filler.

Detachably mounted within the filler receptacle is an agitator comprising a hub member 11 having spirally arranged yieldable blades 12 preferably formed of leather, said hub being carried by revolving shaft 13 mounted in a suitable bearing 1 1 carried by an arm 15 adjustably mounted on standard 16, said shaft being adapted to be driven by any suitable means so that the agitator will rotate in a direction opposite to the movement of the material in its passage over the discharge opening of the filler receptacle.

The agitator is forced into the top of th receptacle and then swung towards the discharge opening into the position shown in Figure 4, so that the filler within the receptacle is constantly forced downwardly so thatit is applied under pressure to the strip moving ast the discharge opening and at the same time the strip is wiped by the ends of the blades so as to rub in the filler.

By adjusting the arm 15 on the standard 16; the proper pressure of the blades of the agitator against the material can be obtained and when it is desired to remove the agitator, it can be readily swung outwardly away from the discharge opening and wi'th-- drawn through the top of the filler receptacle.

In order to provide adjustable guide means for the strip of lumber in its passage over the discharge. opening I provide the filler receptacle with pivotally mounted rollers 17 and 18 which are cut away as shown at 19 to form ribs 20 and 21 which are adapted to engage the upper and lower edges of the strip of material being operated on and as I liaveillustrated a strip of flooring with a Vshaped tongue and a V-shaped groove, the rib 21 is adapted to fit within the groove of the flooring strip and the rib 20 to engage one of the beveled faces thereof.

These rollers engage packing material 22 disposed in cut away portions of the filler box and the, central portion of the rih 20 is cut away inorder, to allow the blades of. the

agitator to. be brought into centact with the face or. the strip. 2

The rollers 17 and 18 are mounted on shafts 23 and 24C and'pivotally mounted on the shaft 23 is an arm 25. which isadapted to carry a pin 26 which passes into one of the series of. openings 27 formed in the roller so that the position of the arm in respect to the roller can be adjusted. The free end of the arm25 has connected thereto a chain or cable 28 which passes over. the pulley 29 car.- ried by a standard and has connected to its free end a weight 3 0, which normally has the tendency to move, the arm upwardly so that the rib 20 is held in contact with the beveledface of the strip of flooring under tension so as to prevent the escape of filler.

The wear of-the face of the strip is taken up by the roller revolving on its pivot so that a tight fit is formed at all times. The roller 18 carries an arm 31 provided with a pin 32 adapted to extend into one of the openings 33 formed in the end ofthe same so that the roller can be adjusted and held in adjusted position. This provides means fortaking up the wear ofthe rib 21 so that the same will be held in the groove of the strip tightly in order. to prevent the escape of filler from the lower, edge of, the discharge opening of the filler receptacle.

. To prevent the filler from escaping lengthwise of the, strip in its passage over the discharge, opening, I provide the filler box with suitable guide ways in which are mOuntedJnOtOhed blocks 3 1 and 35 formed ofwopd and adapted to engage. the face of thestrip and-be held. in contacttherewith underpressure so that the tiller will be prevented from escaping. by these blocks which not only perform this functionbut the block 34 perf0 rms a rubbing, action so as to force the filler into. the pores. of the wood.

The block 35 is adjustably mounted! in its guide way by thumb-bolt 86., which, can be setgsoasto hold the block in; contact with theufaceof the stripunder the desired pressure. The block 34 at the delivery side of the fillingreceptacle is adjustably. mounted within the guide way. by. a screw. 35? which carriesa pulleya38 at .its free end over which This construction provides means for applying pressure constantly to the block so as to prevent the escape ol' the tiller and to rub in the filler before it leaves the receptacle in order to prevent the waste of the filler.

Arranged opposite the discharge opening 7-" of the filler receptacle is a backing-up plate 11 formed with rounded edges as clearly shown in Figure 2 so that the strip will be prevented from yielding as the face is coated with a filler in its passage over the discharge opening of the filling receptacle.

The blocks 3 1 and 35 are held tightly against the outer walls of the tiller receptacle by adjusting screws 42 and by constructing the filler box in this manner, adjustable guides are provided for the upper and lower edges of the strip of floorin in its passage by the filling receptacle an in connection with the pressure bars disposed to each side of the filling receptacle, the discharge opening of the filler receptacle is surrounded by movable members which pro vent the escape of-the filler, one of the yielding members performing the function of rubbing in the filler at the point of application.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a filler receptacle for a machine for finishing flooring wherein means are provided for moving astrip of lumber past the discharge opening of the filler receptacle. The particular construction of filler receptacle and its agitator applies the filler evenly tothc surface of the strip underv pressure so as the strip passes by the filler box, it is coated with filler Which is forced into the pores of the wood under pressure and rubbed into the pores of the wood.

While in the specification Ihavc described a. machine for applying a coat of filler toa moving strip of lumber, I am aware that the construction of receptacle used for applying the filler can be, used for applying other coatings to strips oflumber and therefore I do not wish. to limit n'iyselfto the use. of any semiplastic material orv liquid as I have found that a receptacle constructed as disclosed can be used for applying varnish and the like to the moving strip.

hat I claim is:

1. An apparatus for finishing flnoring comprising a. frame having, a. guide way for guiding a strip of lumbeno-n edge. said guide way being cut away a pair ofnc'volubly mounted guides workingin the cut away portion of said guide way. a receptacle having a discharge openingv in alignment with the cut awayportiontof said guide-way. said receptacle having pressure bars arranged to r ll each side of said discharge opening adapted to contact with the face of said strip and yieldable means for holding one of said revoluble guides and one of said pressure bars in contact with said strip.

2. An apparatus for finishing flooring having means for propelling and guiding a strip of flooring in its passage therethrough, a receptacle having a discharge opening arranged to apply a fluid to the face of said strip in its passage through said guiding means, movably mounted pressure bars carried by said receptacle contacting with the face of the strip and an agitator mounted within said receptacle having spiral blades for forcing the contents of said receptacle into contact with the'face of said strip under pressure.

3. An apparatus for finishing flooring comprising a guide way for supporting and guiding a strip of flooring, means for continuously moving the strip in said guide way, a receptacle having a discharge opening over which said strip passes for applying filler to one face of said strip and an agitator revolubly mounted in said receptacle having spirally arranged blades contacting with the face of said strip for forcing said filler into the pores thereof under pressure.

4. A machine of the kind described having means for supporting and continuously moving strips of lumber, a receptacle having a discharge opening over which is adapted to pass a strip of lumber in its passage through said machine, an agitator adjustably mounted within said receptacle having spirally arranged blades for forcing the contents of said receptacle against the face of said strip, the blades of saidagitator being adapted to engage the face of the strip in its passage therethrongh,

5. A machine of the kind described having means for moving a strip of lumber continuously, a receptacle having a discharge opening over which is adapted to pass a strip of lumber in its passage through said machine, movable members arranged around the discharge opening of said receptacle for preventing the escape of liquid from said receptacle and the application of the same to said strip and a revoluble agitator having spirally arranged blades adjustably mounted within said receptacle so as to contact with the face of the strip in its passage over the discharge opening for forcing the contents of said receptacle into the pores of said strip.

6. A machine for finishing flooring having means for supporting and continuously moving a strip of flooring, a filler receptacle having a discharge opening over which said strip is adapted to pass, means carried by said receptacle for preventing the escape of filler therefrom around the discharge opening thereof and an agitator adjustably mounted within said receptacle having spirally arranged blades for forcing the c0ntents of said receptacle under pressure through the discharge opening, said agitator being mounted to revolve in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the material past the discharge opening thereof.

7. An apparatus for finishing lumber comprising means for supporting and moving a strip of lumber, a receptacle having a discharge opening over which said strip is adapted to pass, an agitator adjustably mounted within said receptacle, said agitator having spirally arranged blades for forcing the contents of said receptacle against the face of said strip under pressure, the blades of said agitator being in position to engage the face of said strip in its passage over the discharge opening of said receptacle. I

8. An apparatus for finishing strips of lumber comprisiing a guide way for supporting a strip in its passage therethrough, said guide way being cut away, a receptacle arranged in the cut away portion of said guide way having a discharge opening in alignment therewith, a pair of revoluble guide members arranged above and below the discharge opening of said receptacle, a lever having aconncction with one of said guide members, a weight connected to said lever for holding said uide way yieldably in contact with the edge of said strip, a pair of pressure bars mounted on said receptacle to each side of said discharge opening, a screw having a connection with one of said pressure bars provided with a pulley and a cable carried by said pulley provided with a weight for yieldably holding said pressure bar in contact with the face of said strip.

9. A liquid applying receptacle for ma chines of the kind described comprising a receptacle having a discharge opening to one side thereof, an agitator mounted to revolve in said receptacle having spirally arranged blades, the outer edges of said blades extending beyond the discharge opening of said receptacle.

10. A machine of the kind described having a receptacle for applying liquid to a strip in its passage through the same provided with an agitator having spirally arranged blades for forcing the contents of said receptacle against the face of said strip under pressure.

11. A machine of the kind described comprising a guide way for guiding a strip of lumber, said guide Way being cut away, a receptacle mounted in said cut away portion, pivoted upper and lower guides carried by said receptacle for guiding the strip through the cut away portion, a lever having a connection with one of said pivoted guide members, a chain carried by said lever and a weight carried by said chain for holding said guide: memberin contact with the edge of said strip. undetw tensiom 1-2. A- liquid applying receptacle for machines of the kind described comprising a receptacle havinga discharge opening to one side thereof,. movable guide members carried by said} receptacle around the discharge opening thereof and an, agitator revolubly mounted in said receptacle having blades extending beyond the discharge opening thereof.

13. An apparatus for finishing strips of lumber comprising means forpropelling and guiding a strip of lumberin its passage therethrough, areceptacle having a discharge opening arranged to apply the'filler to one face of said stripin its passage over said discharge openingand an agitator revol-ubly mounted in said receptacle having blades contacting With said strip for Wiping the filler into the pores of said strip in its passage over the discharge opening of said receptacle.

14. An apparatus for applying filler to a strip of lumber comprising means for guiding. and moving a strip of lumber in its passage through said machine, a receptacle having a discharge opening over which said strip is adapted to pass, an agitator-revolubly mounted in said receptacle having.- blades contacting vvith the face of the strip Within the discharge opening of said receptacle, said agitator beingmounted't'o revolve. in the direction opposite to the movement of the strip. over thetdischarge opening of said receptacle.

15. An apparatus of the kind described having means for g'uidingand moving; a strip of lumber in:- its passagetherethrough, a receptacle having a discharge opening arranged-to apply a coating of filler to the strip in its passage through said machine means within said receptacle for forcing and Wiping the filler into the pores of the wood in its passage over the discharge opening of said receptacle and means arranged along one side of said receptacle for rubbing in the filler lengthwise of the grain.

16. An apparatus for applying a coating ofhea'vy' filler to a strip of lumber comprising means for guiding and moving a strip of lumber continuously in its passage throughthe machine, arcceptacle having a discharge opening over which said strip is adapted to pass, means arranged Within said receptacle for Wiping the filler into the pores of the Wood and means arranged to one side of the discharge opening for forcing the filler into the pores of the wood lengthwise of the grain of the strip in its passage therethrough.

17. Am apparatus for finishingstripsof lumber comprising a guide Way for supporting and guiding a strip of lumber, means for movingthe strip. in said guide way, a filler receptacle having a-discharge opening over which said strip is adapted to pass, movable guide members arranged to each side of said discharge opening and an agitator revolubly mounted Within said receptacle having spirally arranged" blades for forcing the contents of said receptacle against the face of said strip under pressure, said agitator revolving. ina direction opposite to the movement of the strip and mounted in respect to the strip; so that the blades wipe the stripnin its passage over said discharge opening ofsaid receptacle.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

ELMER C. DITTMAR. 

